Space Cooling - Air conditioning
Before you venture to buy an air conditioner you would do well to investigate alternative ways of cooling. Air conditioners consume large quantities of electricity especially at the hours of the system maximum demand and their operation will be costly. Over and above they pollute and heat up the environment.
>Use shades on all your windows. Select the appropriate shading system depending on the orientation of the window.
>Plant trees preferably, trees that shed their leaves, in order to shade your building but also in order to create, wherever this is possible a more favorable “micro-climate”.
>Select light colours for outside walls, roofs and tents
>Reduce the internal heat sources. Install lamps and other appliances of low consumption. Do not use high-energy-consuming appliances (e.g. electric cooker, iron) which also contribute to the warming of the space especially during the periods of high temperatures
>During hot days ventilate your building only at night
>Openings over doors, over staircases, ventilating chimneystacks, in conjunction with certain openings at low points in the building can create a very effective vertical ventilation, without the need to open all your windows
>If the external conditions and the openings of your building do not allow the requisite ventilation install fans for both the introduction as well the expulsion of the air from the building
>Install roof mounted fans in the rooms. A roof fan cools while consuming negligible energy ( as much as an ordinary Lamp). You will feel cool even when temperatures are relatively high and you can do away with the need of installing an air conditioner. Alternatively, use a free standing fan.
If you decide to buy an air conditioner:
> Request to be informed of its power input given that this will significantly raise your electricity bill especially during the summer months
>Ensure that it is suitable for your space consult a specialized engineer and not merely salesman before you select. If you intend to install air conditioning for the whole flat or an entire building ask for a study.
>Set the air conditioning using a good wall mounted thermometer and do not seek temperatures lower than 26oC in the summer
>Ensure that the windows are shut during operation of the air conditioning system so as not to lose valuable energy
>Apply diligently the instructions of the manufacturer for the installation and maintenance of the air conditioning – frequent cleaning of the filters is indicated for health reasons